Naruto, what kind of Hokage would you be if you didn't roll around!

"No need to say anything, Naruto."

"When I chose to follow Orochimaru, it was because I took the Awakening Pill on my own initiative, wanting to awaken his power."

"Now that things have come to this, I have nothing more to say."

"Everything is a choice I made, so I should naturally bear the consequences."

Fukasaku nodded in admiration: "What a mature little brat..."

"Although you say that, I can see that you desperately need power. Why is that?"

Sasuke did not answer the question.

Fukasaku the Sage didn't press further, but sighed, "Humans are always like this; for the sake of protection, for the sake of dreams, for the sake of hatred, their need for power is endless..."

"I hate to say this, but if you're really determined to gain power at all costs, then you can try your luck at Ryuchi Cave."

Jiraiya's expression changed drastically.

"Immortal Fukazuki, this is no joke!"

"None of those who went to Ryuchi Cave to try their luck have ever returned alive!"

Fukasaku the Sage said, "Of course I know that, but just by looking into his eyes, I can tell he will never give up his thirst for power, and..."

"After all, he has mastered the power of the cursed seal, and perhaps he has already prepared to adapt to the immortal techniques of Ryuchi Cave..."

"Of course, whether he goes or not depends on his own decision."

Jiraiya understood what he meant.

"Sasuke, before you make your choice, I must remind you..."

"The magical arts of Ryuchi Cave are certainly no less powerful than those of Mt. Myoboku, but the dangers they come with are completely different!"

“When you train at Mount Myōboku, the Toad Sage will monitor and protect you at all times. Although it is still not 100% safe, he will do his best.”

"However, if you go to Ryuchi Cave, that White Snake Sage will bite you directly and inject Ryuchi Cave's Sage Chakra. If you can't withstand it, there will only be one outcome: death!"

He'll swallow you whole!

"Even if you can withstand it, practicing the immortal techniques of Ryuchi Cave is still fraught with danger!"

Naruto felt a chill run down his spine and became extremely anxious.

"How is this any different from following Orochimaru back then?!"

"Wasn't this sending Sasuke to his death?!"

Sasuke suddenly smiled.

Her usually aloof and cold face now possessed a touch of desolate and tragic beauty.

"Stop talking, Naruto..."

I understand what you're trying to say.

"But this time, please don't stop me."

"But--"

"Nothing but."

"You know very well that this is my only chance to defeat Uchiha Itachi."

Naruto said urgently, "I'm here! If we join forces, we can definitely..."

"Naruto, I am very grateful to you."

Naruto was taken aback.

This was the first time Sasuke had said something like this, expressing his feelings so clearly and directly.

He gazed at Sasuke's profile, looked up at the sky, and his eyes revealed not hatred and determination, but rather a sense of relaxation and relief.

"However, no matter what, I have my own path to walk."

"Killing Uchiha Itachi to avenge my parents and clan is my responsibility and my destiny."

"If I die in Ryuchi Cave, it just means I'm nothing special..."

Naruto clenched his fists involuntarily.

Sasuke looked at him and smiled calmly.

"But I don't think I'll die so easily."

Looking at his smiling face, Naruto suddenly lost the strength to continue trying to dissuade him.

"Ah, I think so too!"

Sasuke understood that he had made up his mind, let out a soft sigh of relief, and still wore a smile that was even a little lazy.

"Naruto, you should stay at Mount Myōboku and train..."

"Isn't this good enough?"

"You're at Mount Myōboku, I'm at Ryūchi Cave, and Hinata is in Shikkotsu Forest..."

"Perhaps, this is some kind of destiny, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, not only Naruto, but also Jiraiya, Fukasaku, Gamabunta, and the others were shocked!

The three members of Class 7 actually went to the three holy lands at the same time to cultivate immortal arts!

It truly seems as if it were all preordained by fate!

Jiraiya and Fukasaku exchanged a glance.

It is important to know that prophecies, destiny, cause and effect, and reincarnation do exist in this world.

What Sasuke said casually might not be a lie.

Jiraiya nodded: "Ah, Sasuke is right, perhaps this is destiny..."

"Since you have made up your mind, as your master, I will definitely help you achieve it."

"Naruto, you stay and train with Fukasaku."

"I will help Sasuke find Ryuchi Cave."

Naruto said, "Where are we going to look?!"

Jiraiya chuckled: "Don't forget, I'm the ninja world's foremost intelligence master!"

"Moreover, I have various intelligence on Orochimaru, and in Konoha Village, I have two readily available sources of information. Finding Ryuchi Cave will not be difficult!"

"You mean..."

"Yes, Jugo, and..."

"Yakushi Kabuto!!!"

Chapter 183 The Mysteries of the Three Great Sage Techniques! Naruto, Sasuke, and Hina's Individual Training! Requesting Monthly Tickets!!!

Yakushi Kabuto.

Upon hearing this name, Naruto felt as if he were in another world.

Although, in reality, not much time has actually passed.

Now that Naruto knows more about his background, his hatred and anger towards him have actually subsided considerably.

Kabuto Yakushi was also an orphan.

What's even more tragic than his own situation is that he doesn't even know which ninja village he's an orphan from.

No identity, no origin, no name.

He finally met Yakushi Nonou, the director of the orphanage, who gave him a name, an identity, and a place that felt most like home. But then everything came to an abrupt end.

He was forced to become a spy for Shimura Danzo and Root.

Wandering among various ninja villages, struggling to survive, amidst the chaotic mix of identities, he tries his best to maintain a sliver of clarity, fantasizing about returning to that place that feels most like home.

However, everything turned into a dream on the day Yakushi Nonou was killed.

From then on, he completely lost everything, including himself.

Following Orochimaru was simply a way to figure out the biggest problem that had plagued him throughout his life...

who I am.

Now, after being defeated and captured by Naruto and brought back to Konoha, he has endured brutal interrogation by the Anbu and the persuasion and comfort of his childhood comrades. After revealing information about Orochimaru and the Akatsuki organization, he received leniency from Tsunade, who allowed him to take care of war orphans like himself in orphanages, under surveillance.

When it comes to the person who understands Orochimaru the most, it has to be him.

Naruto nodded: "Jugo's hometown is not far from Ryuchi Cave. With Kabuto's information, finding it should only be a matter of time. It's just that Sasuke..."

Jiraiya smiled, a smile filled with the weight of a lifetime of memories.

"Naruto, Sasuke, as you probably know, I've taken on other students before you..."

"Hmm, the leader of Akatsuki, that guy with the Rinnegan, right?"

"And the Fourth Hokage..."

“Indeed, Minato was the most brilliant one. In his era, no one could compare to him. It’s just a pity that he died young, and as his master, I couldn’t save him in time…”

"The three children of Amegakure, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, I once thought they would be the children of prophecy spoken of by the Great Toad Sage, but I also heard that they had died..."

"Now it seems that although the information was false, they are no longer the boys I remember..."

The immortal looked at him and sighed.

"Jiraiya, don't think about these things too much, it will only make you feel worse..."

Jiraiya laughed heartily: "It's alright. I'm used to failing my whole life. You could say I've hit a wall everywhere I go and never succeeded. I'm just a frog in a well..."

"However, perhaps a ninja is someone who can endure pain without complaint..."

"Even a complete failure like me isn't so weak and incompetent as to give up..."

"Naruto, don't worry. Now that Sasuke has made up his mind, I will firmly support him."

"If he fails in his cultivation at Dragon Cave, even if he faces an entire Holy Land..."

"I will do everything in my power to protect his safety."

"This is my promise."

Naruto was stunned, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"The lustful immortal..."

Sasuke was equally shocked. His heart, which had been empty and cold like a cold cellar, finally cracked open, and a ray of clear sunlight pierced through with a shattering sound.

How many years has it been...

He hadn't felt this kind of family love for so many years...

But now, Jiraiya's words have finally broken through his defenses and reached his heart...

"Master..."

"Thanks……"

Sasuke's eyes were also slightly moist, but he stubbornly refused to let it show in front of others.

Jiraiya laughed heartily: "How many times have I said this? Isn't it only natural for a master to protect his disciple? Saying thank you is too formal!"

Sasuke closed his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.

That curve even carried a hint of happiness.

“Master, Naruto, even if I really die in Ryuchi Cave, although I will regret not killing Itachi Uchiha, I will no longer be in pain, because…”

"I'm not alone."

Jiraiya looked at the completely different Sasuke and couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in his heart.

He understood that Sasuke had finally regained himself completely.

"Ah."

Jiraiya patted Sasuke's head, ruffling his full head of black hair.